Chimeric immunogens

ABSTRACT

Multimeric hybrid genes encoding the corresponding chimeric protein comprise a gene sequence coding for an antigenic region of a protein from a first pathogen linked to a gene sequence coding for an antigenic region of a protein from a second pathogen. The pathogens particularly are parainfluenza virus (PIV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). A single recombinant immunogen is capable of protecting infants and similar susceptible individuals against diseases caused by both PIV and RSV.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/842,032filed May 10, 2004 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,244,589), which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/479,240 filed Jan. 7, 2000(now abandoned) which itself is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.No. 08/467,961 filed Jun. 6, 1995 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,171,763) whichitself is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/001,554 filed Jan.6, 1993 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,225,091), which claims priority under 35USC 119(e) from Great Britain Application No. 92 00117.1 filed Jan. 6,1992.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the engineering and expression ofmultimeric hybrid genes containing sequences from the gene coding forimmunogenic proteins or protein fragments of numerous pathogens.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The advantage of the approach taken by the present invention is toproduce single immunogens containing protective antigens from a range ofpathogens. Such chimeras greatly simplify the development of combinationvaccines, in particular, with the view ultimately to produce single dosemultivalent vaccines. Multivalent vaccines are currently made byseparately producing pathogens and/or their pertinent antigens andcombining them in various formulations. This is a labour intensive,costly and complex manufacturing procedure. In contrast, theavailability of a single immunogen capable of protecting against a rangeof diseases would solve many of the problems of multivalent vaccineproduction. Several chimeric immunogens of the type provided herein maybe combined to decrease the number of individual antigens required in amultivalent vaccine.

Human Parainfluenza virus types 1,2,3 and Respiratory syncytial virustypes A and B are the major viral pathogens responsible for causingsevere respiratory tract infections in infants and young children. It isestimated that, in the United States alone, approximately 1.6 millioninfants under one year of age will have a clinically significant RSVinfection each year and an additional 1.4 million infants will beinfected with PIV-3. Approximately 4000 infants less than one year ofage in the United States die each year from complications arising fromsevere respiratory tract disease caused by infection with RSV and PIV-3.The WHO and NIALD vaccine advisory committees ranked RSV number twobehind HIV for vaccine development while the preparation of anefficacious PIV-3 vaccine is ranked in the top ten vaccines considered apriority for vaccine development.

Safe and effective vaccines for protecting infants against these viralinfections are not available and are urgently required. Clinical trialshave shown that formaldehyde-inactivated and live-attenuated viralvaccines failed to adequately protect vaccinees against theseinfections. In fact, infants who received the formalin-inactivated RSVvaccine developed more serious lower respiratory tract disease duringsubsequent natural RSV infection than did the control group. [Am. J.Epidemiology 89, 1969, p. 405-421; J. Inf. Dis. 145, 1982, p. 311-319].Furthermore, RSV glycoproteins purified by immunoaffinity chromatographyusing elution at acid pH induced immunopotentiation in cotton rats.[Vaccine, 10(7), 1992, p. 475-484]. The development of efficacious PIV-3and RSV vaccines which do not cause exacerbated pulmonary disease invaccinees following injection with wild-type virus would havesignificant therapeutic implications. It is anticipated that thedevelopment of a single recombinant immunogen capable of simultaneouslyprotecting infants against diseases caused by infection with bothParainfluenza and Respiratory syncytial viruses could significantlyreduce the morbidity and mortality caused by these viral infections.

It has been reported that a protective response against PIV-3 and RSV iscontingent on the induction of neutralizing antibodies against the majorviral surface glycoproteins. For PIV, these protective immunogens arethe HN protein which has a molecular weight of 72 kDa and possesses bothhemagglutination and neuraminidase activities and the fusion (F)protein, which has a molecular weight of 65 kDa and which is responsiblefor both fusion of the virus to the host cell membrane and cell-to-cellspread of the virus. For RSV, the two major immunogenic proteins are the80 to 90 kDa G glycoprotein and the 70 kDa fusion (F) protein. The G andF proteins are thought to be functionally analogous to the PIV HN and Fproteins, respectively. The PIV and RSV F glycoproteins are synthesizedas inactive precursors (FO) which are proteolytically cleaved intoN-terminal F2 and C-terminal F1 fragments which remain linked bydisulphide bonds.

Recombinant surface glycoproteins from PIV and RSV have beenindividually expressed in insect cells using the baculovirus system [Rayet al., (1989), Virus Research, 12: 169-180; Coelingh et al., (1987),Virology, 160: 465-472; Wathen et al., (1989), J. of Inf. Dis. 159:253-263] as well as in mammalian cells infected with recombinantpoxviruses [Spriggs, et al., (1987), J. Virol. 61: 3416-3423; Stott etal., (1987), J. Virol. 61: 3855-3861]. Recombinant antigens produced inthese systems were found to protect immunized cotton rats against livevirus challenge. More recently, hybrid RSV F-G [Wathan et al., (1989),J. Gen Virol. 70: 2625-2635; Wathen, published International Patentapplication WO 89/05823] and PIV-3 F-HN [Wathen, published InternationalPatent Application WO 89/10405], recombinant antigens have beenengineered and produced in mammalian and insect cells. The RSV F-Ghybrid antigen was shown to be protective in cotton rats [Wathan et al.,(1989), J. Gen. Virol. 70: 2637-2644] although it elicited a poor anti-Gantibody response [Connors et al., (1992), Vaccine 10: 475-484]. Theprotective ability of the PIV-3 F-HN protein was not reported in thepublished patent application. These antigens were engineered with theaim to protect against only the homologous virus, that is either RSV orPIV-3. However, it would be advantageous and economical to engineer andproduce a single recombinant immunogen containing at least oneprotective antigen from each virus in order simultaneously to protectinfants and young children against both PIV and RSV infections. Thechimeric proteins provided herein for such purpose also may beadministered to pregnant women or women of child bearing age tostimulate maternal antibodies to both PIV and RSV. In addition, thevaccine also may be administered to other susceptible individuals, suchas the elderly.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In its broadest aspect, the present invention provides a multimerichybrid gene, comprising a gene sequence coding for an immunogenic regionof a protein from a first pathogen linked to a gene sequence coding foran immunogenic region of a protein from a second pathogen and to achimeric protein encoded by such multimeric hybrid gene. Such chimericprotein comprises an immunogenic region of a protein from a firstpathogen linked to an immunogenic region of a protein from a secondpathogen.

The first and second pathogens are selected from bacterial and viralpathogens and, in one embodiment, may both be viral pathogens.Preferably, the first and second pathogens are selected from thosecausing different respiratory tract diseases, which may be upper andlower respiratory tract diseases. In a preferred embodiment, the firstpathogen is parainfluenza virus and the second pathogen is respiratorysyncytial virus. The PIV protein particularly is selected from PIV-3 Fand HN proteins and the RSV protein particularly is selected from RSV Gand F proteins. Another aspect of the invention provides cellscontaining the multimeric hybrid gene for expression of a chimericprotein encoded by the gene. Such cells may be bacterial cells,mammalian cells, insect cells, yeast cells or fungal cells. Further, thepresent invention provides a live vector for antigen delivery containingthe multimeric hybrid gene, which may be a viral vector or a bacterialvector, and a physiologically-acceptable carrier therefor. Such livevector may form the active component of a vaccine against diseasescaused by multiple pathogenic infections. Such vaccine may be formulatedto be administered in an injectable form, intranasally or orally.

In an additional aspect of the present invention, there is provided aprocess for the preparation of a chimeric protein, which comprisesisolating a gene sequence coding for an immunogenic region of a proteinfrom a first pathogen; isolating a gene sequence coding for animmunogenic region of a protein from a second pathogen; linking the genesequences to form a multimeric hybrid gene; and expressing themultimeric hybrid gene in a cellular expression system. The first andsecond pathogens are selected from bacterial and viral pathogens. Suchcellular expression system may be provided by bacterial cells, mammaliancells, insect cells, yeast cells or fungal cells. The chimeric proteinproduct of gene expression may be separated from a culture of thecellular expression system and purified.

The present invention further includes a vaccine against diseases causedby multiple pathogen infections, comprising the chimeric protein encodedby the multimeric hybrid gene and a physiologically-acceptable carriertherefor. Such vaccine may be formulated to be administered in aninjectable form, intranasally or orally.

The vaccines provided herein may be used to immunize a host againstdisease caused by multiple pathogenic infections, particularly thosecaused by a parainfluenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus, byadministering an effective amount of the vaccine to the host. As notedabove, for human PIV and RSV, the host may be infants and youngchildren, pregnant women as well as those of a child-bearing age, andother susceptible persons, such as the elderly.

The chimeric protein provided herein also may be used as a diagnosticreagent for detecting infection by a plurality of different pathogens ina host, using a suitable assaying procedure.

It will be appreciated that, while the description of the presentinvention which follows focuses mainly on a chimeric molecule which iseffective for immunization against diseases caused by infection by PIVand RSV, nevertheless the invention provided herein broadly extends toany chimeric protein which is effected for immunization against diseasescaused by a plurality of pathogens, comprising an antigen from each ofthe pathogens linked in a single molecule, as well as to genes codingfor such chimeric molecules.

In this application, by the term “multimeric hybrid genes” we mean genesencoding antigenic regions of proteins from different pathogens and bythe term “chimeric proteins” we mean immunogens containing antigenicregions from proteins from different pathogens.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A to 1E show the nucleotide (SEQ ID No: 1) and amino acid (SEQ IDNo: 2) sequence of a PCR-amplified PIV-3 F gene and F protein,respectively. The signal peptide (SP) and the transmembrane (TM) anchordomain are underlined. The predicted F2-F1 cleavage site is indicated bythe arrow (↓). Amino acids differing from the published primary sequenceof the protein encoded by the PIV-3 F gene are boxed;

FIG. 2 shows the restriction map of the PIV-3 F gene;

FIGS. 3A to 3E show the nucleotide (SEQ ID No: 3) and amino acid (SEQ IDNo: 4) sequences of the PIV-3 HN gene and HN protein, respectively. Thetransmembrane (TM) anchor domain is underlined. Amino acids differingfrom the published primary sequence of the protein encoded by the PIV-3HN gene are boxed;

FIG. 4 shows the restriction map of the PIV-3 HN gene;

FIGS. 5A to 5E show the nucleotide (SEQ ID No: 5) and amino acid (SEQ IDNo: 6) sequences of the RSV F gene and RSV F protein, respectively. Thesignal peptide (SP) and the transmembrane (TM) anchor domain areunderlined. The predicted F2-F1 cleavage site is indicated by the arrow(↓). Amino acids differing from the published primary sequence of theprotein encoded by the RSV F gene are boxed;

FIG. 6 shows the restriction map of the RSV F gene;

FIGS. 7A to 7D show the nucleotide (SEQ ID No: 7) and amino acid (SEQ IDNo: 8) sequences of the RSV G gene and RSV G protein, respectively. Thetransmembrane (TM) anchor domain is underlined. Amino acids differingfrom the published primary sequence of the protein encoded by the RSV Ggene are boxed;

FIG. 8 shows the restriction map of the RSV G gene;

FIGS. 9A to 9D show the steps involved in the construction of anexpression vector containing a chimeric F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) gene;

FIGS. 10A to 10B show the steps involved in the construction of anexpression vector containing a F_(PIV-3) gene lacking the5′-untranslated sequence and transmembrane anchor and cytoplasmic tailcoding regions;

FIG. 11 shows the steps involved in the construction of an expressionvector containing a chimeric F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) gene containing atruncated PIV-3 F gene devoid of 5′-untranslated region linked to atruncated RSV F1 gene;

FIGS. 12A to 12B show the steps involved in construction of a modifiedpAC 610 baculovirus expression vector containing a chimericF_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) gene consisting of the PIV-3 F gene lacking both the5′-untranslated sequence as well as transmembrane and cytoplasmic tailcoding region linked to the truncated RSV F1 gene;

FIG. 13 shows immunoblots of cell lysates from Sf9 cells infected withrecombinant baculoviruses containing the truncated RSV F gene (Lane 1),the chimeric F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) gene (Lane 2) or injected with wild-typevirus (Lane 3) reacted with anti-RSV Mab (panel A) and anti-F1 PIV-3antiserum (panel B);

FIG. 14 shows the steps involved in constructing a baculovirus transfervector (pD2);

FIG. 15 shows the steps involved in construction of a chimericF_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) gene;

FIG. 16 shows an SDS-PAGE gel and immunoblot of purifiedF_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) chimeric protein;

FIG. 17 illustrates mutagenesis of a PIV-3 F gene; and

FIG. 18 shows the steps involved in the construction of a chimericF_(PIV-3)-G_(RSV) gene.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

In the present invention, a chimeric molecule protective against twodifferent major childhood diseases is provided. The present inventionspecifically relates to the formulation of various recombinantParainfluenza virus (PIV)/Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunogensto produce safe and efficacious vaccines capable of protecting infantsand young children, as well as other susceptible individuals, againstdiseases caused by infection with both PIV and RSV. However, asdescribed above, the present invention extends to the construction ofmultimeric hybrid genes containing genes coding for protective antigensfrom many pathogens. Such vaccines may be administered in any desiredmanner, such as a readily-injectable vaccine, intranasally or orally.

In the present invention, the inventors have specifically engineeredseveral model PIV/RSV chimeric genes containing relevant sequences fromselected genes coding for PIV-3 and RSV surface glycoproteins linked intandem. All genes in the chimeric constructs described herein wereobtained from recent clinical isolates of PIV-3 and RSV. The chimericgene constructs may include gene sequences from either PIV-3 F or HNgenes linked in tandem to either RSV F or G genes in all possiblerelative orientations and combinations.

The chimeric gene constructs provided herein may consist of either theentire gene sequences or gene segments coding for immunogenic andprotective epitopes thereof. The natural nucleotide sequence of thesegenes may be modified by mutation while retaining antigenicity and suchmodifications may include the removal of putative pre-transcriptionalterminators to optimize their expression in eukaryotic cells. The geneswere designed to code for hybrid PIV-RSV surface glycoproteins linked intandem in a single construct to produce gene products which elicitprotective antibodies against both parainfluenza and respiratorysyncytial viruses. Such multimeric hybrid genes consist of a genesequence coding for a human PIV-3 F or HN protein or an immunogenicepitope-containing fragment thereof linked to a gene sequence coding fora human RSV G or F protein or an immunogenic epitope-containing fragmentthereof. Specific gene constructs which may be employed includeF_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV), F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) and F_(PIV-3)-G_(RSV) hybridgenes.

In addition, the present invention also extends to the construction ofother multimeric genes, such as trimeric genes containing PIV and RSVgenes or gene segments, linked in all possible relative orientations.For example:

F_(PIV)-HN_(PIV)-F or G_(RSV)

F_(PIV)-F_(RSV)-G_(RSV)

HN_(PIV)-F_(RSV)-G_(RSV)

The multimeric genes provided herein also may comprise at least one geneencoding at least one immunogenic and/or immunostimulating molecule.

The multimeric hybrid genes provided herein may be sub-cloned intoappropriate vectors for expression in cellular expression systems. Suchcellular expression systems may include bacterial, mammalian, insect andfungal, such as yeast, cells.

The chimeric proteins provided herein also may be presented to theimmune system by the use of a live vector, including live viral vectors,such as recombinant poxviruses, adenoviruses, retroviruses, SemlikiForest viruses, and live bacterial vectors, such as Salmonella andmycobacteria (e.g. BCG).

Chimeric proteins, such as a PIV/RSV chimera, present in either thesupernatants or cell lysates of transfected, transformed or infectedcells then can be purified in any convenient manner.

To evaluate the immunogenicity and protective ability of the chimericproteins, suitable experimental animals are immunized with eithervarying doses of the purified chimeric proteins, such as the PIV/RSVchimera, and/or live recombinant vectors as described above. Suchchimeric proteins may be presented to the immune system by either theuse of physiologically-acceptable vehicles, such as aluminum phosphate,or by the use of delivery systems, such as ISCOMS and liposomes. Thechimeras also may be formulated to be capable of eliciting a mucosalresponse, for example, by conjugation or association withimmunotargeting vehicles, such as the cholera toxin B subunit, or byincorporation into microparticles. The vaccines may further comprisemeans for delivering the multimeric protein specifically to cells of theimmune system, such as toxin molecules or antibodies. To further enhancethe immunoprotective ability of the chimeric proteins, they may besupplemented with other immunogenic and/or immunostimulating molecules.The chimeric PIV/RSV proteins specifically described herein may beformulated with an adjuvant, such as aluminum phosphate, to producereadily-injectable vaccines for protection against the diseases causedby both PIV-3 and RSV. The chimeric proteins also may be administeredintranasally or orally. The chimeric proteins may be used in test kitsfor diagnosis of infection by PIV-3 and RSV.

The invention is not limited to the preparation of chimeric PIV-3 andRSV proteins, but is applicable to the production of chimeric immunogenscomposed of either the entire sequences or regions of the immunogenicproteins from at least two pathogens sequentially linked in a singlemolecule. Chimeric antigens also may be synthesized to contain theimmunodominant epitopes of several proteins from different pathogens.These chimeric antigens may be useful as vaccines or as diagnosticreagents.

SEQUENCE IDENTIFICATION

Several nucleotide and amino acid sequences are referred to in thedisclosure of this application. The following table identifies thesequences and the location of the sequence:

SEQ ID No. Identification Location 1 Nucleotide sequence for FIG. 1,Example 1 PCR-amplified PIV-3 F gene 2 Amino acid sequence for FIG. 1,Example 1 PCR-amplified PIV-F protein 3 Nucleotide sequence for FIG. 3,Example 1 PIV-3 HN gene 4 Amino acid sequence for FIG. 3, Example 1PIV-3 HN protein 5 Nucleotide sequence for FIG. 5, Example 1 RSV F gene6 Amino acid sequence for FIG. 5, Example 1 RSV F protein 7 Nucleotidesequence for FIG. 7, Example 1 RSV G gene 8 Amino acid sequence for FIG.7, Example 1 RSV G protein 9 BsrI - BamHI oligo- FIG. 9, Example 2nucleotide cassette 10 BspHI - BamHI oligo- FIG. 9, Example 2 nucleotidecassette 11 EcoRI - Ppu MI oligo- FIG. 9, Example 2 nucleotide cassette12 BrsI - BamHI oligo- FIG. 10, Example 3 nucleotide cassette 13 EcoRI -Bsr BI oligo- FIG. 10, Example 3 nucleotide cassette 14 EcoRV - EcoRIoligo- FIG. 11, Example 5 nucleotide cassette 15 EcoRV - BamHI oligo-FIG. 14, Example 8 nucleotide cassette 16 BspHI - BspHI oligo- FIG. 15,Example 9 nucleotide cassette 17 Nucleotide sequence for Example 15PIV-3 F gene 18 Mutagenic oligo- FIG. 17, Example 15 nucleotide #2721 19Nucleotide sequence for Example 15 part of oligo- nucleotide #2721 20Oligonucleotide probe Example 15

DEPOSIT INFORMATION

Certain plasmid DNAs described and referred to herein have beendeposited with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) located atRockville, Md., USA, pursuant to the Budapest Treaty and prior to thefiling of this application. The deposited purified plasmids will becomeavailable to the public upon grant of this U.S. patent application orupon publication of its corresponding European patent application,whichever first occurs. The invention described and claimed herein isnot to be limited in scope by the plasmid DNAs of the constructsdeposited, since the deposited embodiment is intended only as anillustration of the invention. The following purified plasmids weredeposited at the ATCC with the noted accession numbers on Dec. 17, 1992:

Plasmid Example No. Accession No. pAC DR7 5 75387 pD2RF-HN 9 75388pD2F-G 16 75389Any equivalent plasmids that can be used to produce equivalent antigensas described in this application are within the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES

The above disclosure generally describes the present invention. A morecomplete understanding can be obtained by reference to the followingspecific Examples. These Examples are described solely for purposes ofillustration and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.Changes in form and substitution of equivalents are contemplated ascircumstances may suggest or render expedient. Although specific termshave been employed herein, such terms are intended in a descriptivesense and not for purposes of limitations.

Methods for cloning and sequencing the PIV-3 and RSV genes as well asthe procedures for sub-cloning the genes into appropriate vectors andexpressing the gene constructs in mammalian and insect cells are notexplicitly described in this disclosure but are well within the scope ofthose skilled in the art.

Example 1

This Example outlines the strategy used to clone and sequence the PIV-3F, HN and RSV F, G genes (from a type A isolate). These genes were usedin the construction of the F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV), F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3), andF_(PIV-3)-G_(RSV) chimeric genes detailed in Examples 2 to 4, 9 and 15,respectively.

Two PIV-3 F gene clones initially were obtained by PCR amplification ofcDNA derived from viral RNA extracted from a recent clinical isolate ofPIV-3. Two other PIV-3 F gene clones as well as the PIV-3 HN, RSV F andRSV G genes were cloned from a cDNA library prepared from mRNA isolatedfrom MRC-5 cells infected with clinical isolates of either PIV-3 or RSV(type A isolate). The PIV-3 F (both PCR amplified and non-PCRamplified), PIV-3 HN, RSV F and RSV G gene clones were sequenced by thedideoxynucleotide chain termination procedure. Sequencing of bothstrands of the genes was performed by a combination of manual andautomated sequencing.

The nucleotide (SEQ ID No: 1) and amino acid (SEQ ID No: 2) sequences ofthe PCR amplified PIV-3 F gene and F protein, respectively, arepresented in FIG. 1 and the restriction map of the gene is shown in FIG.2. Sequence analysis of the 1844 nucleotides of two PCR amplified PIV-3F gene clones confirmed that the clones were identical. Comparison ofthe coding sequence of the PCR-amplified PIV-3 F gene clone with that ofthe published PIV-3 F gene sequence revealed a 2.6% divergence in thecoding sequence between the two genes resulting in fourteen amino acidsubstitutions.

The nucleotide sequence of the non-PCR amplified PIV-3 F gene clonediffered from the PCR amplified gene clone in the following manner: thenon-PCR amplified clone had ten additional nucleotides (AGGACAAAAG) SEQID NO:21 at the 5′ untranslated region of the gene and differed at fourpositions, 8 (T in PCR-amplified gene to C in non-PCR amplified gene),512 (C in PCR-amplified gene to T in non-PCR amplified gene), 518 (G inPCR-amplified gene to A in non-PCR amplified gene) and 1376 (A inPCR-amplified gene to G in non-PCR amplified gene). These changesresulted in three changes in the amino acid sequence of the F proteinencoded by the non-PCR amplified PIV-3 F gene. Serine (position 110),glycine (position 112), and aspartic acid (position 398) in the primaryamino acid sequence of the F protein encoded by the PCR amplified PIV-3F gene was changed to phenylalanine (position 110), glutamic acid(position 112) and glycine (position 398), respectively, in the primaryamino acid sequence of the F protein encoded by the PCR amplified clone.

FIG. 3 shows the nucleotide (SEQ ID No: 3) and amino acid (SEQ ID No: 4)sequences of the PIV-3 HN gene and protein, respectively and therestriction map of the gene is presented in FIG. 4. Analysis of the 1833nucleotide sequence from two HN clones confirmed that the sequences wereidentical. A 4.4% divergence in the coding sequence of the PIV-3 HN genewas noted when the sequence was compared to the published PIV-3 HNcoding sequence. This divergence resulted in seventeen amino acidsubstitutions in the amino acid sequence of the protein encoded by thePIV-3 HN gene.

The nucleotide (SEQ ID No: 5) and amino acid (SEQ ID No: 6) sequences ofthe RSV F gene and RSV F protein, respectively, are shown in FIG. 5 andthe restriction map of the gene is shown in FIG. 6. Analysis of the 1886nucleotide sequence from two RSV F clones verified complete sequencehomology between the two clones. Comparison of this nucleotide sequencewith that reported for the RSV F gene revealed approximately 1.8%divergence in the coding sequence resulting in eleven amino acidsubstitutions.

The nucleotide (SEQ ID No: 7) and amino acid (SEQ ID No: 8) sequences ofthe RSV G gene and RSV G protein, respectively, are presented in FIG. 7while the restriction map of the gene is outlined in FIG. 8. Comparisonof the 920 nucleotide sequence of the G gene clone with the published Gsequence (type A isolate) revealed a 4.2% divergence in the nucleotidesequence and a 6.7% divergence in the amino acid sequence of the geneproduct. This divergence resulted in twenty amino acid substitutions.

The full-length PIV-3 F (non-PCR amplified), PIV-3 HN, RSV F and RSV Ggenes were cloned into λgt11 and subcloned into the multiple cloningsite of a Bluescript M13-SK vector, either by blunt end ligation orusing appropriate linkers. The PCR-amplified PIV-3 F gene was directlycloned into the Bluescript vector. The cloning vectors containing thePIV-3 F-PCR amplified, PIV-3 F non-PCR amplified, PIV-3 HN, RSV F andRSV G genes were named pPI3F, pPI3Fc, pPIVHN, pRSVF and pRSVG,respectively.

Example 2

This Example illustrates the construction of a Bluescript-basedexpression vector (pMCR20) containing the chimeric F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV)gene. This chimeric gene construct contains the 5′ untranslated regionof the PIV-3 F gene but lacks the hydrophobic anchor and cytoplasmictail coding regions of both the PIV-3 and RSV F genes. The stepsinvolved in the construction of this plasmid are summarized in FIG. 9.

To prepare the PIV-3 portion of the chimeric gene (FIG. 9, step 1), thefull length PIV-3 gene lacking the transmembrane region and cytoplasmictail coding regions was retrieved from plasmid pPI3F by cutting thepolylinker with BamHI, blunt-ending the linearized plasmid with Klenowpolymerase and cutting the gene with BsrI. A BsrI-BamHI oligonucleotidecassette (SEQ ID No: 9) containing a PpuMI site and three successivetranslational stop codons were ligated to the truncated 1.6 Kb[BamHI]-BsrI PIV-3 F gene fragment and cloned into the EcoRV-BamHI sitesof a Bluescript M13-SK expression vector containing the humanmethallothionen promoter and the poly A and IVS sequences of the SV40genome (designated pMCR20), to generate plasmid pME1.

To engineer the RSV F gene component of the chimeric construct (FIG. 9,step 2), the RSV F gene lacking the transmembrane region and cytoplasmictail coding regions was retrieved from plasmid pRSVF by cutting thepolylinker with EcoRI and the gene with BspHI. A synthetic BspHI-BamHIoligonucleotide cassette (SEQ ID No: 10) containing three successivetranslational stop codons was ligated to the 1.6 Kb truncated RSV F geneand cloned into the EcoRI-BamHI sites of the Bluescript based expressionvector, pMCR20 to produce plasmid pES13A. Plasmid pES13A then was cutwith EcoRI and PpuMI to remove the leader and F2 coding sequences fromthe truncated RSV F gene. The leader sequence was reconstructed using anEcoRI-PpuMI oligocassette (SEQ ID No: 11) and ligated to the RSV F1 genesegment to generate plasmid pES23A.

To prepare the chimeric F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) gene (FIG. 9, step 3)containing the 5′ untranslated region of the PIV-3 F gene linked to thetruncated RSV F1 gene fragment, plasmid pME1 (containing the 1.6 Kbtruncated PIV-3 F gene) first was cut with PpuMI and BamHI. ThePpuMI-BamHI restricted pME1 vector was dephosphorylated with intestinalalkaline phosphatase. The 1.1 Kb RSV F1 gene fragment was retrieved fromplasmid pES23A by cutting the plasmid with PpuMI and BamHI. The 1.1 KbPpuMI-BamHI RSV F1 gene fragment was cloned into the PpuMI-BamHI sitesof the dephosphorylated pME1 vector to generate plasmid pES29A. Thischimeric gene construct contains the 5′ untranslated region of the PIV-3F gene but lacks the nucleotide sequences coding for the hydrophobicanchor domains and cytoplasmic tails of both the PIV-3 and RSV Fproteins.

Example 3

This Example illustrates the construction of a Bluescript-basedexpression vector containing the PIV-3 F gene lacking both the 5′untranslated and transmembrane anchor and cytoplasmic tail codingregions. The steps involved in constructing this plasmid are outlined inFIG. 10.

Plasmid pPI3F containing the full length PIV-3 F gene was cut withBamHI, blunt ended with Klenow polymerase and then cut with BsrI toremove the transmembrane and cytoplasmic tail coding regions. TheBluescript-based expression vector, pMCR20, was cut with SmaI and BamHI.A synthetic BsrI-BamHI oligonucleotide cassette (SEQ ID No: 12)containing a translational stop codon was ligated with the 1.6 Kb bluntended-BsrI PIV-3 F gene fragment to the SmaI-BamHI restricted pMCR20vector to produce plasmid pMpFB. The PIV-3 F gene of this constructlacked the DNA fragment coding for the transmembrane and cytoplasmicanchor domains but contained the 5′ untranslated region. To engineer aplasmid containing the PIV-3 F gene devoid of both the 5′ untranslatedregion and the DNA fragment coding for the hydrophobic anchor domain,plasmid pMpFB was cut with EcoRI and BstBI. An EcoRI-BstBI oligocassette(SEQ ID No: 13) containing the sequences to reconstruct the signalpeptide and coding sequences removed by the EcoRI-BstBI cut was ligatedto the EcoRI-BstBI restricted pMpFB vector to produce plasmid pMpFA.

Example 4

This Example illustrates the construction of the chimericF_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) gene composed of the truncated PIV-3 F gene devoid ofthe 5′ untranslated region linked to the truncated RSV F1 gene. Thesteps involved in constructing this plasmid are summarized in FIG. 11.

To prepare this chimeric gene construct, plasmid pES29A (Example 2) wascut with BstBI and BamHI to release the 2.5 Kb BstBI-BamHI PI3-3 F-RSVF1 chimeric gene fragment. This BstBI-BamHI fragment was isolated from alow melting point agarose gel and cloned into the BstBI-BamHI sites ofthe dephosphorylated vector pMpFA to produce plasmid pES60A. Thisconstruct contained the PIV-3 F gene lacking both the 5′ untranslatedregion and the hydrophobic anchor and cytoplasmic tail coding sequenceslinked to the F1 coding region of the truncated RSV F gene. Thischimeric gene was subsequently subcloned into the baculovirus transfervector (see Example 5).

Example 5

This Example illustrates the construction of the modified pAC 610baculovirus transfer vector containing the native polyhedrin promoterand the chimeric F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) gene consisting of the PIV-3 F genelacking both the 5′ untranslated sequence and the nucleotide sequencecoding for the hydrophobic anchor domain and cytoplasmic tail linked tothe truncated RSV F1 gene. Construction of this plasmid is illustratedin FIG. 12.

The pAC 610 baculovirus expression vector was modified to contain thenative polyhedrin promoter in the following manner. Vector pAC 610 wascut with EcoRV and BamHI. The 9.4 Kb baculovirus transfer vector lackingthe EcoRV-BamHI DNA sequence was isolated from a low melting pointagarose gel and treated with intestinal alkaline phosphatase. In a 3-wayligation, an EcoRV-EcoRI oligonucleotide cassette (SEQ ID No: 14)containing the nucleotides required to restore the native polyhedrinpromoter was ligated with the 1.6 Kb EcoRI-BamHI truncated RSV F genefragment isolated from construct pES13A (Example 2, step 2) and theEcoRV-BamHI restricted pAC 610 phosphatased vector to generate plasmidpES47A. To prepare the pAC 610 based expression vector containing thechimeric F_(PIV- 3)-F_(RSV) gene, plasmid pES47A was first cut withEcoRI and BamHI to remove the 1.6 Kb truncated RSV F gene insert. The2.8 Kb F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) chimeric gene was retrieved by cutting plasmidpES60A (Example 4) with EcoRI and BamHI. The 2.8 Kb EcoRI-BamHI chimericgene was ligated to the EcoRI-BamHI restricted pES47A vector to generateplasmid pAC DR7 (ATCC 75387).

Example 6

This Example outlines the preparation of plaque-purified recombinantbaculoviruses containing the chimeric F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) gene.

Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells were co-transfected with 1.0 μgwild-type AcMNPV DNA and 2.5 μg of F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) plasmid DNA(plasmid pAC DR7—Example 5). Putative recombinant baculoviruses(purified once by serial dilution) containing the F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV)chimeric gene were identified by dot-blot hybridization. Lysates ofinsect cells infected with the putative recombinant baculoviruses wereprobed with the ³²P-labelled F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) chimeric gene insert.Recombinant bacculoviruses were plaque-purified twice before being usedfor expression studies. All procedures were carried out according to theprotocols outlined by M. D. Summers and G. E. Smith in “A Manual ofMethods for Baculovirus Vectors and Insect Cell Culture Procedures”,Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Bulletin 1555, 1987.

Example 7

This Example illustrates the presence of the chimeric F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV)protein in supernatants and cell lysates of infected Sf9 cells.

Insect cells were infected with the plaque-purified recombinantbaculoviruses prepared as described in Example 6 at a m.o.i. of 8.Concentrated supernatants from cells infected with the recombinantviruses were positive in a PIV-3 F specific ELISA. In addition, whenlysates from ³⁵S-methionine labelled infected cells were subjected toSDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and gels were analyzed byautoradiography, a strong band with apparent molecular weight ofapproximately 90 kDa was present in lysates of cells infected with therecombinant viruses but was absent in the lysates from wild-typeinfected cells. The presence of the chimeric F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) proteinin the lysates of cells infected with the recombinant baculoviruses wasconfirmed further by Western blot analysis using monospecific anti-PIV-3F and anti-RSV F antisera and/or monoclonal antibodies (Mabs). Lysatesfrom cells infected with the recombinant baculoviruses reacted with bothanti-PIV-3 and anti-RSV antisera in immunoblots. As shown in theimmunoblot of FIG. 13, lysates from cells infected with either the RSV For F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) recombinant baculoviruses reacted positively withthe anti-F RSV Mab. As expected, lysates from cells infected with wildtype virus did not react with this Mab. In addition, only lysates fromcells infected with the chimeric F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) recombinant virusesreacted with the anti-PIV-3 F₁ antiserum.

Example 8

This Example illustrates modification of the baculovirus transfer vectorpVL1392 (obtained from Invitrogen), wherein the polyhedrin ATG startcodon was converted to ATT and the sequence CCG was present downstreamof the polyhedrin gene at positions +4,5,6. Insertion of a structuralgene several base pairs downstream from the ATT codon is known toenhance translation. The steps involved in constructing this modifiedbaculovirus transfer vector are outlined in FIG. 14.

The baculovirus expression vector pVL1392 was cut with EcoRV and BamHI.The 9.5 kb restricted pVL1392 vector was ligated to an EcoRV-BamHIoligonucleotide cassette (SEQ ID No: 15) to produce the pD2 vector.

Example 9

This Example illustrates the construction of the pD2 baculovirusexpression vector containing the chimeric F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) geneconsisting of the truncated RSV F and PIV-3 HN genes linked in tandem.The steps involved in constructing this plasmid are summarized in FIG.15.

To engineer the F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) gene, the RSV F gene lacking thenucleotide sequence coding for the transmembrane domain and cytoplasmictail of the RSV F glycoprotein was retrieved from plasmid PRSVF(Example 1) by cutting the polylinker with EcoRI and the gene withBspHI. The PIV-3 HN gene devoid of the DNA fragment coding for thehydrophobic anchor domain was retrieved from plasmid pPIVHN (Example 1)by cutting the gene with BspHI and the polylinker with BamHI. The 1.6 KbEcoRI-BspHI RSV F gene fragment and the 1.7 Kb BspHI-BamHI PIV-3 HN genefragment were isolated from low melting point agarose gels. For cloningpurposes, the two BspHI sites in the Bluescript based mammalian cellexpression vector, pMCR20, were mutated. Mutations were introduced inthe BspHI sites of the pMCR20 by cutting the expression vector withBspHI, treating both the BspHI restricted vector and the 1.1 Kb fragmentreleased by the BspHI cut with Klenow polymerase and ligating theblunt-ended 1.1 Kb fragment to the blunt-ended Bluescript-basedexpression vector to generate plasmid pM′. Since insertion of the 1.1 Kbblunt-end fragment in the mammalian cell expression vector in theimproper orientation would alter the Amp^(r) gene of theBluescript-based expression vector, only colonies of HB101 cellstransformed with the pM′ plasmid DNA with the 1.1 Kb blunt-endedfragment in the proper orientation could survive in the presence ofampicillin. Plasmid DNA was purified from ampicillin-resistant coloniesof HB101 cells transformed with plasmid PM′ by equilibriumcentrifugation in cesium chloride-ethidium bromide gradients. The 1.6 KbEcoRI-BspHI RSV F and 1.7 Kb BspHI-BamHI PIV-3 HN gene fragments weredirectly cloned into the EcoRI-BamHI sites of vector pM′ in a 3-wayligation to generate plasmid pM′ RF-HN.

To restore specific coding sequences of the RSV F and PIV-3 HN genesremoved by the BspHI cut, a BspHI-BspHI oligonucleotide cassette (SEQ IDNo: 16) containing the pertinent RSV F and PIV-3 HN gene sequences wasligated via the BspHI site to the BspHI-restricted plasmid pM′ RF-HN toproduce plasmid pM RF-HN. Clones containing the BspHI-BspHIoligonucleotide cassette in the proper orientation were identified bysequence analysis of the oligonucleotide linker and its flankingregions.

To clone the chimeric F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) gene into the baculovirusexpression vector pD2 (Example 8), the F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) truncated genefirst was retrieved from plasmid pM RF-HN by cutting the plasmid withEcoRI. The 3.3 Kb F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) gene then was cloned into the EcoRIsite of the baculovirus transfer vector plasmid -pD2 to generate plasmidpD2 RF-HN (ATCC 75388). Proper orientation of the 3.3 Kb EcoRIF_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) chimeric gene insert in plasmid pD2 RF-HN wasconfirmed by sequence analysis.

Example 10

This Example outlines the preparation of plaque-purified recombinantbaculoviruses containing the chimeric F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) gene.

Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells were co-transfected with 1 μgwild-type AcNPV DNA and 2 μg of F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) plasmid DNA (plasmidpD2 RF-HN-Example 9). Putative recombinant baculoviruses (purified onceby serial dilution) containing the F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) chimeric gene wereidentified by dot-blot hybridization. Lysates of insect cells infectedwith the putative recombinant baculoviruses were probed with the³²P-labelled RSV F or PTV-3 HN gene oligonucleotide probes. Recombinantbaculoviruses were plaque-purified three times before being used forexpression studies. All procedures were carried out according to theprotocols outlined by Summers and Smith (Example 6).

Example 11

This Example illustrates the presence of the chimeric F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3)protein in supernatants of infected Sf9 and High 5 cells.

Insect cells (Sf9 and High 5), maintained in serum free medium EX401,were infected with the plaque purified recombinant baculoviruses ofExample 10 at a m.o.i. of 5 to 10 pfu/cell. Supernatants from cellsinfected with the recombinant baculoviruses tested positive forexpressed protein in both the RSV-F and PIV-3 HN specific ELISAS. Inaddition, supernatants from infected cells reacted positively with bothan anti-F RSV monoclonal antibody and anti-HN peptide antisera onimmunoblots. A distinct band of approximately 105 kDa was present in theimmunoblots. These results confirm the secretion of the chimericF_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) protein into the supernatant of Sf9 and High 5 cellsinfected with the recombinant baculoviruses.

Example 12

This Example illustrates the purification of the chimericF_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) protein from the supernatants of infected High 5cells.

High 5 cells, maintained in serum free medium, were infected with theplaque purified recombinant baculoviruses of Example 10 at a m.o.i of 5pfu/cell. The supernatant from virus infected cells was harvested 2 dayspost-infection. The soluble F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) chimeric protein waspurified from the supernatants of infected cells by immunoaffinitychromatography using an anti-HN PIV-3 monoclonal antibody. The anti-HNmonoclonal antibody was coupled to CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B byconventional techniques. The immunoaffinity column was washed with 10bed volumes of washing buffer (10 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 0.02%v/v TRITON-X 100 (Trademark for a non-ionic detergent which isoctadienyl phenol (ethylene glycol)₁₀)) prior to use. After sampleloading, the column was washed with 10 bed volumes of washing bufferfollowed by 3 bed volumes of high salt buffer (10 mm Tris-HCl pH 7.5,500 mM NaCl, 0.02% v/v TRITON-X 100(Trademark for a non-ionic detergentwhich is octadienyl phenol (ethylene glycol)₁₀)). The chimericF_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) protein was eluted from the immunoaffinity columnwith 100 MM glycine, pH 2.5, in the presence of 0.02% TRITON X-100(Trademark for a non-ionic detergent which is octadienyl phenol(ethylene glycol)₁₀). Eluted protein was neutralized immediately with 1MTris-HCl, pH 10.7.

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis (FIG. 16, panel A) of theimmunoaffinity-purified F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) protein revealed the presenceof one major protein band with an apparent molecular weight of 105 kDa.The purified protein reacted with both an anti-RSV F monoclonal antibodyand anti-HN peptide antisera on immunoblots (FIG. 16, panel B, lanes 1and 2, respectively).

Example 13

This Example illustrates the immunogenicity of the F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3)protein in guinea pigs.

Groups of four guinea pigs were injected intramuscularly with either 1.0or 10.0 μg of the chimeric F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) protein purified asdescribed in Example 12 and adjuvanted with aluminum phosphate. Groupsof control animals were immunized with either placebo, or live PIV-3 orRSV (administered intranasally). Guinea pigs were bled 2 and 4 weeksafter the primary injection and boosted at 4 weeks with an equivalentdose of the antigen formulation. Serum samples also were taken 2 and 4weeks after the booster dose. To assess the ability of the chimericprotein to elicit PIV-3 and RSV-specific antibody responses, serasamples were analyzed for the presence of PIV-3 specifichemagglutination inhibiting and neutralizing antibodies as well as RSVneutralizing antibodies. As summarized in Table 1 below (the Tablesappear at the end of the disclosure), the sera of animals immunized withtwo 10 μg doses of the chimeric protein had titres of PIV-3 specifichemagglutination inhibition (HAI) and PIV-3/RSV neutralizing antibodiesat the 6 and 8 week time points which were equivalent to the levelsobtained following intranasal inoculation with either live PIV-3 or RSV.In addition, animals immunized with only two 1 μg doses of the chimericprotein elicited strong PIV-3 and RSV specific neutralizing antibodies.These results confirmed the immunogenicity of both the RSV and PIV-3components of the chimeric protein and provided confirmatory evidencethat a single recombinant immunogen can elicit neutralizing antibodiesagainst both RSV and PIV-3.

Example 14

This Example illustrates the immunogenicity and protective ability ofthe F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) protein in cotton rats.

Groups of eight cotton rats were injected intramuscularly with either1.0 or 10.0 μg of the chimeric F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) protein (prepared asdescribed in Example 12) adjuvanted with aluminum phosphate. Groups ofcontrol animals were immunized with either placebo (PBS+aluminumphosphate) or live PIV-3 or RSV (administered intranasally). Cotton ratswere bled 4 weeks after the primary injection and boosted at 4 weekswith an equivalent dose of the antigen formulation. Serum samples werealso taken 1 week after the booster dose. As shown in Table 2 below,data from the 4-week bleed demonstrated that both a 1 and 10 μg dose ofthe chimeric protein was capable of inducing a strong primary response.Reciprocal mean log₂ PIV-3 specific HAI and PIV-3/RSV neutralizingtiters were equivalent to the titres obtained with live PIV-3 and RSV.Thus, a single inoculation of the chimeric protein was sufficient toelicit neutralizing antibodies against both PIV-3 and RSV. Strongneutralizing PIV-3 and RSV titres also were observed following thebooster dose (5 week bleed). These results provide additional evidencethat both the RSV and PIV-3 components of the chimeric protein arehighly immunogenic.

To assess the ability of the chimeric immunogen to simultaneouslyprotect animals against both RSV and PIV-3, four cotton rats from eachgroup were challenged intranasally with 100 TCID₅₀ units of either PIV-3or RSV. Animals were killed 4 days after virus challenge. Virus titerswere determined in lung lavages. As shown in Table 3 below, animalsimmunized with either 1 or 10 μg of the chimeric F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3)protein were completely protected against challenge with either PIV-3 orRSV. These results provide evidence that the chimeric protein is notonly highly immunogenic but can also simultaneously protect cotton ratsagainst disease caused by both PIV-3 and RSV infection.

Example 15

This Example illustrates the construction of a Bluescript M13-SK vectorcontaining the chimeric F_(PIV-3)-G_(RSV) gene. This chimeric geneconstruct contains the 5′ untranslated region of a mutated PIV-3 F genebut lacks the nucleotide sequence coding for the hydrophobic anchor andcytoplasmic tail domains of both a mutated PIV-3 F and the native RSV Ggenes. The steps involved in constructing this plasmid are outlined inFIGS. 17 and 18.

The first step (FIG. 17) involved in preparing the PIV-3 F component ofthe chimeric F_(PIV-3)-G_(RSV) gene construct was to eliminate theputative pre-termination sites within the 18 nucleotide long sequence 5′CAAGAAAAAGGAATAAAA 3′ (SEQ ID No: 17) located between positions 857 and874 of the non PCR-amplified PIV-3 F gene and positions 847 and 864 ofthe PCR-amplified PIV-3 F gene (see FIG. 1). To this end, the PIV-F cDNAof the non-PCR amplified PIV-3 F gene was cut at the BsaAI and EcoRIsites. The BsaAI-EcoRI PIV F gene fragment was cloned into the EcoRIsite of a Bluescript M13-SK vector using an EcoRI-BsaAI linker. The857-874 target region of the PIV-3 F gene (non-PCR amplified) then wasmutated by oligonucleotide-mediated mutagenesis using the method ofMorinaga et al. [1984, Biotechnology 2: 636-639]. Plasmid pPI3Fc(Example 1) was cut with ScaI in the Amp^(r) gene and dephosphorylatedwith alkaline phosphatase (plasmid #1). A second sample of plasmidpPI3Fc was cut with BstEII and NsiI to produce a 3.9 Kb restrictedplasmid, lacking the 0.9 Kb BstEII-NsiI fragment of the PIV-3 F gene(plasmid #2). A mutagenic 78-mer synthetic oligonucleotide (#2721 shownin FIG. 17-SEQ ID No: 18)) containing the sequence 5′ CAGGAGAAGGGTATCAAG3′ (SEQ ID No: 19) was synthesized to specifically mutate the 857-874DNA segment without changing the F protein sequence. Thisoligonucleotide was added to plasmid DNAs #1 and #2, denatured at 100°C. for 3 min. and renatured by gradual cooling. The mixture then wasincubated in the presence of DNA polymerase, dNTPs and T4 ligase andtransformed into HB101 cells. Bacteria containing the 1.8 Kb mutatedPIV-3 F gene were isolated on YT agar plates containing 100 μg/mlampicillin. Hybridization with the oligonucleotide probe5′AGGAGAAGGGTATCAAG 3′ (SEQ ID No: 20) was used to confirm the presenceof the mutated PIV-3 F gene. The mutated gene sequence was confirmed byDNA sequencing. The plasmid containing the mutated PIV-3 gene wasdesignated pPI3Fm.

The second step (FIG. 18) in the engineering of the chimeric geneconstruct involved constructing a Bluescript based vector to contain thetruncated PIV-3 Fm gene lacking the nucleotide sequence coding for thetransmembrane anchor domain and cytoplasmic tail of the PIV-3 F proteinlinked in tandem with the RSV G gene lacking both the 5′ leader sequenceand the nucleotide sequence coding for the transmembrane anchor domainand cytoplasmic tail of the G glycoprotein.

To prepare this chimeric gene, the orientation of the mutated PIV-F genein plasmid pPI3Fm first was reversed by EcoRI digestion and religationto generate plasmid pPI3Fmr. To prepare the PIV-3 F gene component ofthe chimeric gene, plasmid pPI3Fmr was cut with NotI and BsrI to releasethe 1.7 Kb truncated PIV-3 F gene. To prepare the RSV G component, the0.95 Kb RSV-G gene lacking both the 5′ leader sequence and the DNAsegment encoding the G protein anchor domain and cytoplasmic tail wasreleased from plasmid pRSVG (Example 1) by cutting the polylinker withEcoRI and the gene with BamHI. The 0.95 Kb EcoRI-BamHI RSV G genefragment was subcloned into the EcoRI-BamHI sites of a restrictedBluescript vector, pM13-SK, to produce plasmid pRSVGt. The 0.95 KbEcoRI-BamHI G gene fragment and the 1.5 Kb NotI-BsrI truncated PIV-3 Fgene were linked via a BsrI-BamHI oligonucleotide cassette (SEQ ID No:9) restoring the F and G gene coding sequences and cloned into thepRSVGt vector restricted with BamHI and NotI in a 3-way ligation. Theplasmid thus generated was designated pFG.

Example 16

This Example outlines the construction of the pD2 baculovirus transfervector (described in Example 8) containing the chimericF_(PIV-3)-G_(RSV) gene consisting of a mutated PIV-3 F gene lacking thehydrophobic anchor and cytoplasmic coding regions linked to the RSV Ggene lacking both the 5′ leader sequence and the nucleotide sequencesencoding the transmembrane anchor domain and cytoplasmic tail of the Gprotein.

To prepare this construct, plasmid pFG (Example 15) was cut with EcoRIto release the 2.6 Kb F_(PIV-3)-G_(RSV) chimeric gene. The 2.6 Kb EcoRIrestricted chimeric gene fragment then was sub-cloned into the EcoRIsite of the dephosphorylated pD2 vector to generate the 12.1 Kb plasmidpD2F-G (ATCC 75389).

Example 17

This Example outlines the preparation of plaque-purified recombinantbaculoviruses containing the chimeric F_(PIV-3)-G_(RSV) gene.

Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells were co-transfected with 2 μg ofpD2F-G plasmid DNA (Example 16) and 1 μg of linear wild-type AcNPV DNA(obtained from Invitrogen). Recombinant baculoviruses containing theF_(PIV-3)-G_(RSV) gene were plaque-purified twice according to theprocedure outlined in Example 10.

Example 18

This Example illustrates the presence of the chimeric F_(PIV-3)-G_(RSV)protein in the supernatant of Sf9 and High 5 cells infected with therecombinant baculoviruses.

Sf9 and High 5 cells were infected with recombinant baculovirusescontaining the F_(PIV-3)-G_(RSV) gene (Example 16) at a m.o.i. of 5 to10 pfu/cell. The supernatant of cells infected with the recombinantviruses tested positive for expressed protein in the PIV-3 F specificELISA. Supernatants of infected cells reacted with both anti-F PIV-3 andanti-G RSV monoclonal antibodies in immunoblots. These results confirmthe presence of the chimeric F_(PIV-3)-G_(RSV) protein in thesupernatants of infected Sf9 and High 5 cells.

Example 19

This Example outlines the preparation of recombinant vaccinia virusesexpressing the F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) and F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) genes.

Vaccinia virus recombinant viruses expressing the F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV)(designated vP1192) and F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) (designated vP1195) geneswere produced at Virogenetics Corporation (Troy, N.Y.) (an entityrelated to assignee hereof) using the COPAK host-range selection system.Insertion plasmids used in the COPAK host-range selection systemcontained the vaccinia K1L host-range gene [Perkus et al., (1990)Virology 179:276-286] and the modified vaccinia H6 promoter [Perkus etal. (1989), J. Virology 63:3829-3836]. In these insertion plasmids, theK1L gene, H6 promoter and polylinker region are situated betweenCopenhagen strain vaccinia flanking arms replacing the ATI region [openreading frames (ORFs) A25L, A26L; Goebel et al., (1990), Virology 179:247-266; 517-563] . COPAK insertion plasmids are designed for use in invivo recombination using the rescue virus NYVAC (vP866) (Tartaglia etal., (1992) Virology 188: 217-232). Selection of recombinant viruses wasdone on rabbit kidney cells.

Recombinant viruses, vP1192 and vP1195 were generated using insertionplasmids pES229A-6 and PSD.RN, respectively. To prepare plasmidpES229A-6 containing the F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) gene, the COPAK-H6 insertionplasmid pSD555 was cut with SmaI and dephosphorylated with intestinalalkaline phosphatase. The 2.6 Kb F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) gene was retrievedfrom plasmid pES60A (Example 4) by cutting the plasmid with EcoRI andBamHI. The 2.6 Kb EcoRI-BamHI F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) gene was blunt endedwith Klenow polymerase, isolated from a low melting point agarose geland cloned into the SmaI site of the COPAK-H6 insertion plasmid pSD555to generate plasmid pES229A-6. This positioned the F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) ORFsuch that the 5′ end is nearest the H6 promoter.

To prepare plasmid PSD.RN, the pSD555 vector first was cut with SmaI andBamHI. Plasmid pM RF-HN (Example 9) containing the truncatedF_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) gene was cut with ClaI, blunt ended with Klenowpolymerase and then cut with BamHI. The 3.3 Kb F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) genewas cloned into the SmaI-BamHI sites of the pSD555 vector to generateplasmid PSD.RN. This positioned the F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) ORF such that theH6 5′ end is nearest the H6 promoter.

Plasmids pES229A-6 and PSD.RN were used in in vitro recombinationexperiments in vero cells with NYVAC (vP866) as the rescuing virus.Recombinant progeny virus was selected on rabbit kidney (RK)-13 cells(ATCC #CCL37). Several plaques were passaged two times on RK-13 cells.Virus containing the chimeric genes were confirmed by standard in situplaque hybridization [Piccini et al. (1987), Methods in Enzymology,153:545-563] using radiolabeled probes specific for the PIV and RSVinserted DNA sequences. Plaque purified virus containing theF_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) and F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) chimeric genes were designatedvP1192 and vP1195, respectively.

Radioimmunoprecipitation was done to confirm the expression of thechimeric genes in vP1192 and vP1195 infected cells. These assays wereperformed with lysates prepared from infected Vero cells [according tothe procedure of Taylor et al., (1990) J. Virology 64, 1441-1450] usingguinea pig monospecific PIV-3 anti-HN and anti-F antiserum and rabbitanti-RSV F antiserum. Both the anti-PIV F and anti-RSV F antiseraprecipitated a protein with an apparent molecular weight ofapproximately 90 koa from vP1192 infected Vero cells. Both anti-RSV Fand guinea pig anti-PIV HN antisera precipitated a protein with anapparent molecular weight of approximately 100 kDa from vP1195 infectedcells. These results confirmed the production of the F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV)and F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) chimeric proteins in Vero cells infected with therecombinant poxviruses.

SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

In summary of the disclosure, the present invention provides multimerichybrid genes which produce chimeric proteins capable of elicitingprotection against infection by a plurality of pathogens, particularlyPIV and RSV. Modifications are possible within the scope of thisinvention.

TABLE 1 Secondary antibody response of guinea pigs immunized with thechimeric F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) protein HAI Titre^(a) NeutralizationTitre^(b) (log₂ ± s.e.) (log₂ ± s.e.) Antigen Dose PIV-3 PIV-3 RSVFormulation (ug) 6 wk Bleed 8 wk Bleed 6 wk Bleed 8 wk Bleed 6 wk Bleed8 wk Bleed Buffer — <1.0 ± 0.0  <1.0 ± 0.0  <1.0 ± 0.0  <1.0 ± 0.0  <1.0± 0.0  <1.0 ± 0.0  F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) 10.0 9.1 ± 0.3 9.1 ± 0.3 7.1 ± 0.37.1 ± 0.5 5.5 ± 0.9 4.5 ± 1.2  1.0 7.0 ± 2.0 7.3 ± 2.2 5.0 ± 1.5 4.5 ±1.4 4.5 ± 0.5 3.0 ± 1.0 Live PIV-3 8.6 ± 0.7 7.3 ± 0.6 7.0 ± 0.4 7.3 ±0.6 N/A N/A Live RSV N/A^(c) N/A N/A N/A 5.5 ± 1.5 5.0 ± 1.0^(a)Reciprocal mean log₂ serum dilution which inhibits erythrocyteagglutination by 4 hemagglutinating units of PIV-3 ^(b)Reciprocal meanlog₂ serum dilution which blocks hemadsorption of 100 TCID₅₀ units ofPIV-3 or RSV ^(c)N/A—not applicable

1. A multimeric hybrid gene encoding a chimeric protein including aprotein from parainfluenza virus (PIV) and a protein from respiratorysyncytial virus (RSV), comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a PIV-3F protein or a fragment thereof having fusion activity linked to anucleotide sequence coding for a RSV F protein or a fragment thereofhaving fusion activity.
 2. The hybrid gene of claim 1 which is ofF_(RSV)-F_(PIV-3) hybrid gene.
 3. The hybrid gene of claim 1 containedin an expression vector.
 4. The hybrid gene of claim 3 in the form of aplasmid which is pAC DR7 (ATCC 75387).
 5. Eukaryotic cells containingthe multimeric hybrid gene of claim 1 for expression of the chimericprotein encoded by the hybrid gene.
 6. The cells of claim 5 which aremammalian cells, insect cells, yeast cells or fungal cells.
 7. A vectorfor antigen delivery containing the gene of claim
 1. 8. The vector ofclaim 7 which is viral vector.
 9. The vector of claim 8 wherein saidviral vector is selected from the group consisting of poxviral,adenoviral and retroviral viral vectors.
 10. The vector of claim 7 whichis a bacterial vector.
 11. The vector of claim 10 wherein said bacterialvector is selected from salmonella and mycobacteria.
 12. A process forthe preparation of a chimeric protein including a protein fromparainfluenza virus (PIV) and a protein from respiratory syncytial virus(RSV), which comprises: isolating a first nucleotide sequence encoding aPIV-3 F protein or a fragment thereof having hemagglutinin-neurominidaseactivities, isolating a second nucleotide sequence encoding a RSV Fprotein or a fragment thereof having fusion activity, linking said firstand second nucleotide sequences to form a multimeric hybrid gene, andexpressing the multimeric hybrid gene in a cellular expression system.13. The process of claim 12 wherein said multimeric hybrid gene isR_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) hybrid gene.
 14. The process of claim 12 wherein saidmultimeric hybrid gene is contained in an expression vector which is pACDR7 (ATCC 75367).
 15. The process of claim 12 wherein said cellularexpression system is provided by mammalian cells, insect cells, yeastcells or fungal cells.
 16. The process of claim 12 including separatinga chimeric protein from a culture of said eukaryotic cellular expressionand purifying the separated chimeric protein.